An Extra Pair Of Socks - 10 Essential Backpacker Items For Your Own Safety
Beginner backpacker safety is imperative for every novice to know while planning for that first exciting backpacker trip. What are the ten essential pieces of equipment every backpacker should carry to assure a safe trip?
1. Sturdy leather hiking boots, waterproofed prior to trip, and worn on several long hikes prior to trip This is essential for comfort and safety. Should you develop a large blister or two on the trail you might not be able to return under your own power. It is essential that your boots already be worn by you and have conformed to the shape of your foot. Get your blisters done and out of the way on a few shorter, local hikes. Waterproof the boots and waterproof them again before the big trip. Keeping your feet dry is of utmost importance for backpacker safety. Everything depends on your feet!
2. Waterproof tent that you have practiced setting up before the trip There are so many suitable backpacker tents on the market today that which one you choose is not as important as learning how to quickly set it up prior to your trip. You don't know what weather conditions await you at the end of the first day on the trail, and if it is cold and rainy you will be plenty grateful to know how to quickly set up your shelter.
3. Waterproof frame pack with ample shoulder and belt padding. If the pack is not waterproof then invest in a waterproof pack cover. Your whole trip would be ruined if all your supplies got rainsoaked on the first day. It is essential that your sleeping bag remain dry regardless of how much rain you might have to trudge through.
4. Goretex or silk inner layer for cold, rainy climate is essential for keeping body heat in where it is needed. Some people prefer silk because it breathes better than goretex type materials. If your inner layer doesn't allow air flow, you will become wet from the inside out.
5. Backpacker stove that you know how to use - it doesn't matter what brand, all that matters is that you know how to use it. If the stove is new be sure it works and that you can light it easily. Now think about wind and how you would light that stove on a real windy day. If the stove is old be sure all parts are working and that it has been cleaned recently. Backpacker stoves are famous for getting clogged and not working on the trip, so be sure your stove is clean.
6. More stove fuel than you think you will need is worth the extra weight. Should one of your group become injured, you might be spending an extra day on the trail, and it is essential you have a working stove for the extra unplanned day.
7. Enough dehydrated food for entire trip, plus extra should you have an unplanned additional day due to one of your group becoming ill or dehydrated or injured. You might also encounter another backpacker group with an injured member and could offer some of your extra food to them.
8. Sleeping bag rated beyond climate conditions but not too much beyond. If your sleeping bag is TOO good, you will end up perspiring all night and end up getting cold from being wet. If your sleeping bag is not warm enough you could suffer from being too cold. Neither extreme is desired and both are avoidable. Do your research and know what the likely temperatures will be for the elevations at which you will be setting up camp each night.
9. More socks than you think you will need. Your whole trip depends on warm, dry, comfortable feet. You will be glad you packed extra pair of socks or two. Perhaps your boots aren't as waterproof as you thought, and that little slip into the water as you crossed the creek soaked your socks. You didn't expect that, and you will be glad to have that extra pair of dry socks.
10. First aid kit large enough for the size of group you are backpacking with. Think worst case scenario and plan accordingly. This is another item that is worth its weight in the pack. There is no such thing as a first aid kit that was too big for the trip. But plenty of first aid kits are too small for your group. Choose accordingly. Split up the first aid supplies among all members of the group or else take turns carrying the complete kit, switching off at lunch or the start of each day.
Following these basic rules of backpacker equipment safety can mean an enjoyable, safe trip for every novice backpacker.
